Awriter's giving an inanimate object human characteristics is metaphor personification symbolism

Personification.
a metaphor is a statement that compairs two things and doesn't use the words 'like' or 'as'. for example: "The pillow is a cloud." Symbolism is I think when you make a reference to a well known event that most or everyone know about or its the emotions and thoughts connected to a certain word like 'The American Flag' people associate this flag or symbol with freedon, bravery, sacrifice and etc.